Latest news with #AustralianDistillersAssociation
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Anthony Albanese freezes beer tax but ignores calls to ease pressure on distillers
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has delivered on a key election promise by freezing tax hikes on tap beer sold in pubs and clubs, but spirits producers say they've been left out and want similar relief. Normally, the excise on beer increases twice a year, every February and August, in line with inflation. The freeze will pause these automatic increases for draught beer sold in kegs, but it does not apply to bottled or canned beer, nor to spirits or ready-to-drink beverages. The saving is modest, on a standard 48-litre keg of mid-strength beer, the freeze amounts to roughly 18 cents, equating to less than a cent per pint. In another win for booze makers, the government will boost tax breaks for the industry, lifting the excise remission cap from $350,000 to $400,000 for brewers, distillers and winemakers starting next July. But spirits producers say it's not enough, arguing they're still copping unfair indexation tax hikes while beer gets a break. 'Currently we have a tax system that was brought in in the 1980s, when Australia really didn't have a distilling industry. We maybe had five or six distilleries,' Cameron Mackenzie from the Australian Distillers Association told Sunrise. 'Now, we have over 700 distilleries in Australia. From a manufacturing, innovation, job, tourism, even from an export point of view, this tax is going to hurt that end of the scale. But no-one can keep absorbing these tax increases. 'We have two tax increases a year, forever.' Mr Mackenzie warned that without change, the costs will continue to be passed on to customers. 'All of the hospitality venues in Australia - restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs -are all going to get stung with this, and ultimately it goes on to the consumer,' he said. 'The consumer is far less likely to go out to a venue if their drink prices keep going up.' 'I think that the freeze on beer tax is an indication that they are willing to have that conversation now. This isn't the 1980s. It is 2025. 'We need a more modern tax structure. A standard drink is a standard drink, and it should be taxed accordingly.' In the most recent excise rise this February, spirits with more than 10 per cent alcohol by volume increased from $103.89 per litre to $104.31 per litre. Meanwhile, draught beer with more than 3.5 per cent alcohol increased from $43.22 per litre of alcohol to $43.39 per litre, but the freeze will stop further rises for tap beer sold in pubs and clubs for the next two years.
7NEWS
04-08-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Australians hit with new alcohol tax as industry leader issues dire warning on its impact
Aussie spirit drinkers are set to pay more for their beverages after the government slapped a tax hike on the alcohol. Under the Albanese government, the cost of spirits rose from $104.31 per litre to $105.98 per litre, which is one of the priciest in the world. Meanwhile, the beer excise has been frozen. Currently, the spirits excise undergoes a twice-yearly indexation update. General Manager of the Australian Distillers Association, Cameron Mackenzie, said the increase would have repercussions on the industry. 'It certainly isn't going to help,' he told Nat Barr on Sunrise on Monday. '(Currently we have) a tax system that was brought in in the 1980s, when Australia really didn't have a distilling industry. We maybe had five or six distilleries. 'Now, we have over 700 distilleries in Australia. From a manufacturing, innovation, job, tourism, event from an export point of view, (this tax) is going to hurt that end of the scale, but no-one can keep absorbing these tax increases. 'We have two tax increases a year, forever.' Mackenzie said the price hike will be passed on to customers. 'So ultimately it has to be passed on to consumers, which means all of the hospitality venues in Australia, restaurant, bar, pubs, club, are all going to get stung with this and ultimately it goes on to the consumer,' he said. 'The consumer is far less likely to go out to a venue if their drink prices keep going up.' Mackenzie said multiple tax increases mean the industry never has a respite. 'It is not so much this isolated incident of one tax increase that is the problem,' he said. 'I was one of the co-founders of Four Pillars Distillery in Healesville (in the Yarra Valley). We launched that in 2013, we have had 24 tax increases. 'It is this cumulative effect of tax increases and that is why you are penalised if you are a spirits drinker. 'We are already taxed two-and-a-half times on beer, so a freeze on beer is welcomed but let's extend that to spirits as well.' At the last increase in February, spirits exceeding 10 per cent by volume of alcohol went up from $103.89 per litre to $104.31 per litre. Mackenzie called on the government for change. 'There was a parliamentary inquiry into manufacturing that included alcohol and it had bipartisan support for a proper inquiry into the way that alcohol is taxed in Australia. 'So, both sides of government agree. 'I think that the freeze on beer tax is an indication that they are willing to have that conversation now. This isn't the 1980s. It is 2025. 'We need a more modern tax structure, a standard drink is a standard drink, and it should be taxed accordingly.'
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Yahoo
Robert Irwin face of new $130m push, woman charged after toddler found in suitcase, cops charge boy after 'dangerous' find
Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Monday. Robert Irwin will be the face of a new $130 million push to advertise Australia to the rest of the world. A woman in New Zealand has been charged after a two-year-old girl was discovered inside a suitcase in the baggage compartment of a bus. She was only found when another passenger asked to access their bag, with the "very hot" child being taken to hospital for assessment. Follow along as we bring you regular updates below. The struggling industry Albo forgot in tax break While beer drinkers will be spared from another price hike this month, those who prefer spirits will have to dig a little deeper into their wallets. The government put a pause on the alcohol excise duty for beer after serious concerns were raised by brewers and pubs about the impact it was having on the industry. But that election goodwill didn't extend to those who drink vodka, rum, whisky, gin and other spirits. A spokesperson for the Australian Taxation Office told Yahoo Finance the excise undergoes a twice-yearly indexation update "based on the upward movement" of inflation, and Monday will be the second time this year that this type of booze goes up in price. "This is incredibly disappointing," Australian Distillers Association general manager Cameron Mackenzie said. "It's not just another tax hike, it's a significant one that distillers and hospitality venues simply can't absorb." Read more from Yahoo Finance here. Boy charged after 'dangerous' discovery on roads Police in Queensland are urging parents to get strict with children after a 15-year-old boy was charged following the discovery of a "dangerous" modified BMX frame. Police forces around the country are ramping up efforts to tackle illegal e-bike use and modification, and on July 15 police in Gympie intercepted the teen allegedly driving a homemade motorbike. Police allege the motorbike had been created by modifying a BMX bike frame to remove pedals and add electric motors controlled by a throttle. 'A powerful bike in the hands of an unlicenced and inexperienced driver is extremely dangerous to not only the rider, but also the other road users,' Inspector Shane Draper said. 'I especially urge parents to be familiar with the regulations and road rules regarding e-bikes and to work with their child to understand and respect those rules. 'This is all aimed at reducing the significant road trauma, fatalities and life-changing injuries we have seen from the use of the e-bikes." The boy has been charged with one count each of driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence, vehicles used on roads must be registered and drive uninsured vehicle. He is due to front a child's court later this month. Woman charged after toddler found inside suitcase A New Zealand woman has been charged with child neglect after a bus driver found a two-year-old girl alive in a suitcase that was stowed in the vehicle's luggage compartment, police say. The bus driver noticed movement inside the bag during a planned stop at the settlement of Kaiwaka, north of Auckland, after a passenger asked for access to the luggage compartment, Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said in a statement. When the driver opened the suitcase they discovered the toddler, who was very hot but otherwise appeared physically unharmed, Harrison said. The child was taken to a hospital, where she remained Sunday night. The woman will front court later today. With aP Robert Irwin face of new $130m push Robert Irwin is the big name in Australia's latest bid to lure tourists to our shores. A new $130 million advertising campaign will be used in a host of countries including the US and China over the coming months as Tourism Australia anticipates another surge in tourism in 2026 in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Check out one of the ads below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Australia (@australia) Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The struggling industry Albo forgot in tax break While beer drinkers will be spared from another price hike this month, those who prefer spirits will have to dig a little deeper into their wallets. The government put a pause on the alcohol excise duty for beer after serious concerns were raised by brewers and pubs about the impact it was having on the industry. But that election goodwill didn't extend to those who drink vodka, rum, whisky, gin and other spirits. A spokesperson for the Australian Taxation Office told Yahoo Finance the excise undergoes a twice-yearly indexation update "based on the upward movement" of inflation, and Monday will be the second time this year that this type of booze goes up in price. "This is incredibly disappointing," Australian Distillers Association general manager Cameron Mackenzie said. "It's not just another tax hike, it's a significant one that distillers and hospitality venues simply can't absorb." Read more from Yahoo Finance here. While beer drinkers will be spared from another price hike this month, those who prefer spirits will have to dig a little deeper into their wallets. The government put a pause on the alcohol excise duty for beer after serious concerns were raised by brewers and pubs about the impact it was having on the industry. But that election goodwill didn't extend to those who drink vodka, rum, whisky, gin and other spirits. A spokesperson for the Australian Taxation Office told Yahoo Finance the excise undergoes a twice-yearly indexation update "based on the upward movement" of inflation, and Monday will be the second time this year that this type of booze goes up in price. "This is incredibly disappointing," Australian Distillers Association general manager Cameron Mackenzie said. "It's not just another tax hike, it's a significant one that distillers and hospitality venues simply can't absorb." Read more from Yahoo Finance here. Boy charged after 'dangerous' discovery on roads Police in Queensland are urging parents to get strict with children after a 15-year-old boy was charged following the discovery of a "dangerous" modified BMX frame. Police forces around the country are ramping up efforts to tackle illegal e-bike use and modification, and on July 15 police in Gympie intercepted the teen allegedly driving a homemade motorbike. Police allege the motorbike had been created by modifying a BMX bike frame to remove pedals and add electric motors controlled by a throttle. 'A powerful bike in the hands of an unlicenced and inexperienced driver is extremely dangerous to not only the rider, but also the other road users,' Inspector Shane Draper said. 'I especially urge parents to be familiar with the regulations and road rules regarding e-bikes and to work with their child to understand and respect those rules. 'This is all aimed at reducing the significant road trauma, fatalities and life-changing injuries we have seen from the use of the e-bikes." The boy has been charged with one count each of driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence, vehicles used on roads must be registered and drive uninsured vehicle. He is due to front a child's court later this month. Police in Queensland are urging parents to get strict with children after a 15-year-old boy was charged following the discovery of a "dangerous" modified BMX frame. Police forces around the country are ramping up efforts to tackle illegal e-bike use and modification, and on July 15 police in Gympie intercepted the teen allegedly driving a homemade motorbike. Police allege the motorbike had been created by modifying a BMX bike frame to remove pedals and add electric motors controlled by a throttle. 'A powerful bike in the hands of an unlicenced and inexperienced driver is extremely dangerous to not only the rider, but also the other road users,' Inspector Shane Draper said. 'I especially urge parents to be familiar with the regulations and road rules regarding e-bikes and to work with their child to understand and respect those rules. 'This is all aimed at reducing the significant road trauma, fatalities and life-changing injuries we have seen from the use of the e-bikes." The boy has been charged with one count each of driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence, vehicles used on roads must be registered and drive uninsured vehicle. He is due to front a child's court later this month. Woman charged after toddler found inside suitcase A New Zealand woman has been charged with child neglect after a bus driver found a two-year-old girl alive in a suitcase that was stowed in the vehicle's luggage compartment, police say. The bus driver noticed movement inside the bag during a planned stop at the settlement of Kaiwaka, north of Auckland, after a passenger asked for access to the luggage compartment, Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said in a statement. When the driver opened the suitcase they discovered the toddler, who was very hot but otherwise appeared physically unharmed, Harrison said. The child was taken to a hospital, where she remained Sunday night. The woman will front court later today. With aP A New Zealand woman has been charged with child neglect after a bus driver found a two-year-old girl alive in a suitcase that was stowed in the vehicle's luggage compartment, police say. The bus driver noticed movement inside the bag during a planned stop at the settlement of Kaiwaka, north of Auckland, after a passenger asked for access to the luggage compartment, Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said in a statement. When the driver opened the suitcase they discovered the toddler, who was very hot but otherwise appeared physically unharmed, Harrison said. The child was taken to a hospital, where she remained Sunday night. The woman will front court later today. With aP Robert Irwin face of new $130m push Robert Irwin is the big name in Australia's latest bid to lure tourists to our shores. A new $130 million advertising campaign will be used in a host of countries including the US and China over the coming months as Tourism Australia anticipates another surge in tourism in 2026 in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Check out one of the ads below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Australia (@australia) Robert Irwin is the big name in Australia's latest bid to lure tourists to our shores. A new $130 million advertising campaign will be used in a host of countries including the US and China over the coming months as Tourism Australia anticipates another surge in tourism in 2026 in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Check out one of the ads below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Australia (@australia)
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Disappointing' new tax to hit Aussies from today
While beer drinkers will be spared from another price hike this month, those who prefer spirits will have to dig a little deeper into their wallets. The government put a pause on the alcohol excise duty for beer after serious concerns were raised by brewers and pubs about the impact it was having on the industry. But that election goodwill didn't extend to those who drink vodka, rum, whisky, gin and other spirits. A spokesperson for the Australian Taxation Office told Yahoo Finance the excise undergoes a twice-yearly indexation update "based on the upward movement" of inflation, and Monday will be the second time this year that this type of booze goes up in price. "This is incredibly disappointing," Australian Distillers Association general manager Cameron Mackenzie said. RELATED Hidden reality behind 'horrendous' prices at Aussie airports revealed Centrelink update on little-known support for Aussies in crisis Top 10 most affordable places to live in Australia revealed "It's not just another tax hike, it's a significant one that distillers and hospitality venues simply can't absorb. "In the end, it's customers who'll be left paying more for their favourite spirits. 'The Australian distilled spirits industry drives local manufacturing, creates jobs and boosts tourism and hospitality with 50 per cent of distilleries located in regional communities. This tax hike hits everyone: producers, venues and consumers who'll see higher prices for their favourite gin and tonic.'At the last increase in February, spirits exceeding 10 per cent by volume of alcohol went up from $103.89 per litre to $104.31 per litre. As of August 4, a $1.67 increase will bring that price to $105.98 per litre. Distillers will have to decide whether to pass that cost onto hospitality venues, who will have to make the same decision on passing it onto consumers. It's a war that has been going on in the industry for four decades, but many in the industry are being pushed to the brink. Price hike hits already-struggling booze industry This comes at a time when many in the alcohol industry fear the cost-of-living crisis is forcing people to stay at home to save money. Bundaberg Distilling Co. chair Amanda Lampe sounded the alarm about this issue last year and warned this twice-yearly change was changing the way Aussies looked at socialising. "What our drinkers are telling us is that it's becoming a luxury to have a drink with their friends on a Friday evening, and that's really sad," she told Yahoo Finance. CreditorWatch found that one in 10 hospitality venues had closed down in the 12 months to April due to rising costs and decreasing consumer demand. The Night Time Industries Association's quarterly report added that Aussies earning under $150,000 per year couldn't afford to head out to enjoy a tipple, which is putting further strain on distillers, brewers, and pub owners. A poll of more than 6,000 Yahoo Finance readers found 83 per cent agreed the twice-yearly would keep them away from pubs, clubs, restaurants, and other venues where alcohol is sold. Mick Gibb, CEO of the Association, said it was unfair for Anthony Albanese to promise a two-year pause on the beer side of the excise and not offer anything for spirit drinkers. 'We're not asking for special treatment, just equal treatment," he said. "Freezing the beer excise is a great thing, but we can't leave behind the small bars, live music venues and performance spaces that aren't running beer taps. "These smaller venues have been doing it tough for a long, long time. Every time the excise goes up, venues have to make a tough choice – they either try to absorb the flow on the cost of spirits and cut spending on things such as live performances and bands, or they pass it on to price-conscious consumers. It's a lose-lose situation." $95 million budget hit to provide relief for beer drinkers The government confirmed to Yahoo Finance that the pause on the beer excise is expected to create a $95 million dent in the federal budget over four years. But Albanese said it was a small price to pay to help the booze industry and its patrons. 'My government is building Australia's future and to do that we need to support our small and medium local businesses to thrive," the Prime Minister said in March. 'Freezing the excise on draught beer is a common sense measure that is good for beer drinkers, good for brewers and good for pubs.' But it's not applied to all types of beer. Those who drink beer that's pulled from a tap at licensed hospitality venues will be spared from the price hike; however, stubbies and cans at the bar or bottle store will cop a hit. Wine falls under a different type of excise compared to beer and spirits, and is taxed at 29 per cent of its wholesale in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
